Optical microscope with spatially structured waveplate

Abstract

Optical microscopy is an effective tool for observation of biological samples without any negative disturbance of the specimen. Due to weak absorption of such objects, implementation of advanced microscopic method is necessary for acquiring the image with satisfactorily high contrast. Thanks to modern technologies, new contrast enhancing methods are still developed. Recently, advantages of the microscopic system with spatially structured waveplate (SWP) was demonstrated for fully coherent monochromatic light. In imaging applications, however, is incoherent illumination of higher demand. In this paper images of phase objects obtained with optical microscope complemented by SWP operated under partially coherent LED illumination are presented.